2 Israelis Who Were Taken Hostage In Gaza Died

JAKARTA - Two Israeli nationals held hostage in Gaza, Palestine, were killed. This comes as negotiations to secure a ceasefire agreement that includes the release of about 120 prisoners there will resume this weekend.

The Israeli military says it is still investigating the deaths of two hostages in detention, namely Yayev Buchshtab, a 35-year-old voice technician and Alex Dancyg, 76, a historian.

The two were kidnapped from their homes in kibbutzim near the border with Gaza during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 in southern Israel.

Israel's negotiating team on Thursday this week is scheduled to depart to mediate ceasefire negotiations in Gaza which will include the issue of releasing hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

"Yagev and Alex were arrested alive and should have been returned alive to their families and countries," the Detention Family Forum said in a statement quoted by Reuters on Monday, July 22.

Their death in captivity is a tragic reflection of the slow consequences of negotiations, "added the statement.

Israeli authorities have so far declared about a third of the hostages still detained in Gaza dead.